Collapsible spool

ABSTRACT

A collapsible spool useable for dyeing synthetic thread wound thereon and comprising a molded polyethylene spool of unitary construction and having continuous rings at end portions and an intermediate body portion comprising a plurality of equally circumaxially spaced similar axially elongated members joined at opposite ends to the end rings. The circumferential spacing between the elongated members is greater than the circumferential dimension thereof. The body portion also includes a plurality of short connecting members extending transversely between the elongated members and staggered axially to provide for discontinuity in radial planes and substantially uniform radial collapsibility throughout the length of the elongated members. The polyethylene softens sufficiently at conventional dye bath temperatures to permit thread shrinkage readily to collapse and permanently deform the spool intermediate body portion.

i United States Patent [191 Sottosanti 51 Feb. 27, 1973 COLLAPSIBLE SPOOL [76] Inventor: Michael P. Sottosanti, 84 Connecticut Avenue, Waterbury, Conn.

[22] Filed: April30, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 33,252

[52] U.S. Cl ..242/ll8.1l [51] Int. Cl ..B65h 75/20, B65h 75/24 v [58] Field of Search ..242/118.11,l18.2, 118.1, 118.32;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,563,491 2/1971 Hahm et al. ..242/l18.l1 3,471,l02 10/1969 Inouye et a1... ..242/l 18.11 2,535,188 12/1950 Beckner ..242/l 18.32

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 6,812,519 3/1970 Netherlands ..242/l18.2

Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Attorney-McCormick, Paulding & I-Iuber 5 7] ABSTRACT A collapsible spool useable for dyeing synthetic thread wound thereon and comprising a molded polyethylene spool of unitary construction and having continuous rings at end portions and an intermediate body portion comprising a plurality of equally circumaxially spaced similar axially elongated members joined at opposite ends to the end rings. The circumferential spacing between the elongated members is greater than the circumferential dimension thereof. The body portion also includes a plurality of short connecting members extending transversely between the elongated members and staggered axially to provide for discontinuity in radial planes and substantially uniform radial collapsibility throughout the length of the elongated members. The polyethylene softens sufficiently at conventional dye bath temperatures to permit thread shrinkage readily to collapse and permanently deform the spool intermediate body portion.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures COLLAPSIBLE SPOOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates particularly to the dyeing of synthetic thread wherein thread is wound upon spools which are submerged in dye baths in conventional dye operations. Shrinkage of the thread during dyeing is substantial in the absence of pre-setting or preshrinking, an additional preliminary operation, and a conventional practice has involved the use of stainless steel spools with a layer of cotton disposed thereabout and with the thread wound upon the cotton. There is of course an additional operation involved in the placement of the cotton on the stainless steel spools and if the dyed thread is shipped to a remote location on the spools, the spools must be returned even though the cotton may be disposed of.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the general object of the present invention to provide a disposable spool for mounting thread for dyeing and other operations, which spool can be constructed at economic advantage and which yet provides the desired degree of collapsibility to accommodate thread shrinkage and to enhance the efficiency of the dyeing operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spool of the present invention prior to the winding of thread thereupon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spool of FIG. 1 with thread wound thereupon.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the spool of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the spool subsequent to a dyeing operation and removal of the thread from the spool.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken generally as indicated at 5-5 in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring particularly to FIG. 1, it will be observed that a spool shown at therein is of unitary construction and hollow cylindrical form open at each end. The spool comprises axially spaced end portions which are identical and each of which takes the form of a continuous ring 12. Each ring 12 has a small radially outwardly projecting flange 14 formed at an outer end portion thereof. The flanges 14, 14 provide for frictional engagement with an adjacent driving roll when an end portion of thread is first wound about the spool and thread has not yet built up in layers upon the spool.

The spool also comprises an intermediate body portion between the end portions thereof and said body portion preferably comprises a plurality of circumaxially spaced similar axially elongated members 16, 16. The members 16, 16 are formed integrally at opposite ends with said continuous rings l2, l2 and are spaced apart a distance greater than their own width. That is, the circumferential space between said members is greater than the circumferential dimension of the members. As shown, the members 16, 16 are equally circumaxially spaced and eight (8) members l6, 16 are provided. The number of members 16, 16 may vary widely within the scope of the invention.

The cross sectional shape of the members l6, 16 may also vary but as shown, said members have a generally convex outer surface viewed in cross section. Such a cross section tends to minimize contact between the members and inner layers of thread wound upon the spool. Accordingly, the dye of the dye bath is permitted readily to permeate all areas of the inner layers of the thread wound upon'the spool and an efficient dyeing operation results. The spacing of the members at distances greater than their own circumferential dimensions contributes also to efficient dyeing. As shown, the members are spaced apart circumferentially slightly more than twice their own circumferential dimension. Such specific spacing is desired, but spacing may vary .widely within the scope of the invention.

During the initial stages of winding thread upon the spool, there may be some tendency for the thread to slip in an axial direction. Accordingly, it is the preferred practice to provide small axially spaced radially outwardly projecting thread abutments as at 18, 18. The abutments 18, 18 are preferably provided on each of the elongated members 16, 16 although alternate members may be provided with abutments if so desired.

The body portion of the spool also comprises a plurality of short connecting members 20, 20. The members 20, 20 may vary in form but are preferably ring segments lying in radial planes between adjacent elongated members 16, 16. The cross section thereof is shown as being substantially identical with the cross section of the elongated members 16, 16. At least one member 20 is arranged between each pair of adjacent axially elongated members l6, l6 and, as shown, alternate spaces between the elongated members 16, 16 respectively have a single member 20 and a pair of spaced connecting members 20, 20. In all cases, the connecting members 20, 20 are staggered so as not to provide a continuous radial ring as at the end portions of the spool. The discontinuity of the members 20, 20 in radial planes contributes to substantially uniform radial collapsibility of the spool as best illustrated in FIG. 4. As in the case of the elongated members 16, 16 a minimum of connecting members is provided so as not to interfere with the necessary dye saturation of the innermost layers of thread. The illustrated alternate arrangement of single and double connecting member is found to provide excellent dyeing results.

As mentioned, the spool of the invention is preferably molded polyethylene. Other materials are also useable within the scope of the invention but such materials preferably soften sufficiently under exposure to conventional dye bath termperatures so as to be readily and uniformly collapsible by thread shrinkage and thus not interfere with efficient dyeing of innermost thread layers. Further, the material is permanently deformed as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and does not exert substantial outward reactive forces on the innermost thread layers during dyeing. This further enhances dyeing efiiciency.

I claim:

1. A collapsible spool useable for dyeing synthetic thread wound thereon, said spool being of unitary construction and of hollow cylindrical form open at each end, each end portion thereof comprising a continuous ring and an intermediate body portion thereof comprising a plurality of circumaxially spaced similar axially elongated members formed integrally at opposite ends with said continuous rings, said members being linear and continuous between said end rings and the circumferential space between said members being greater than the circumferential dimension thereof, and said body portion also including a plurality of short connecting members arranged with at least one such member between and integrally formed with each pair of adjacent axially elongated members, said connecting members being staggered axially to provide for discontinuity in radial planes and substantially uniform radial collapsibility throughout the length of said elongated members, and alternate spaces between elongated members respectively having a single and a spaced pair of said connecting members.

2. A collapsible spool as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said elongated members is provided with a generally convex outer surface viewed in cross section whereby to minimize contact between said members and thread wound upon the spool.

3. A collapsible spool as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said end rings has a small radially outwardly projecting flange at an outer end portion thereof.

4. A collapsible spool as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least some of said elongated members are provided with small axially spaced radially outwardly projecting thread abutments.

5. A collapsible spool as set forth in claim 1 and constructed of a material which softens sufficiently at normal dye bath temperatures to permit thread shrinkage readily to collapse and permanently deform said spool intermediate body portion.

6. A collapsible spool as set forth in claim 5 wherein said spool is molded from polyethylene.

l I II i 

2. A collapsible spool as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said elongated members is provided with a generally convex outer surface viewed in cross section whereby to minimize contact between said members and thread wound upon the spool.
 3. A collapsible spool as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said end rings has a small radially outwardly projecting flange at an outer end portion thereof.
 4. A collapsible spool as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least some of said elongated members are provided with small axially spaced radially outwardly projecting thread abutments.
 5. A collapsible spool as set forth in claim 1 and constructed of a material which softens sufficiently at normal dye bath temperatures to permit thread shrinkage readily to collapse and permanently deform said spool intermediate body portion.
 6. A collapsible spool as set forth in claim 5 wherein said spool is molded from polyethylene. 